Merriman and the French Invasion (The Merriman Chronicles Book 2) Page 3

  “Do you think Sir, that many Irish will rise against us?”

  “We don’t believe they will, but there may well be enough hotheads willing to stake their lives on a French invasion succeeding, and it is difficult to blame them. The peasantry live in abject poverty as tenants on short term leases from corrupt landowners and when those leases expire the rents are increased. It is called rack-renting and as most of the landlords are absentees from their land the whole system is run by their agents, most of whom are as unscrupulous as anyone can be, lining their own pockets at the expense of the tenants.”

  “However, we learned that in July General Hoche submitted a plan to the Directory for a landing in Ireland and has been appointed commander of the expedition. We don’t know exactly when the French will attempt this landing, but the vague reports we have, suggest that it will be no later than December and as it is now coming to the end of October there may not be much time left to us. It seems certain from the recently observed activity there that the port of embarkation will be Brest, but we think that it will take them some time yet to assemble the men and prepare the ships for the venture. Sir David?”

  “Thank you Mr Grahame. Now Captain, you see now why we wanted you back here in a hurry. You have worked very successfully with Mr Grahame before and he requested your services.” Merriman looked his thanks to Grahame.

  The Admiral continued, “The home fleet is keeping the French ports blockaded as best it can and as there is every likelihood that Spain will turn her coat and join the French, the Mediterranean fleet will have its hands full coping with that new threat. In fact we may be forced to withdraw from the Mediterranean altogether. As far as the Admiralty is concerned Captain, the fleet is so stretched by the tremendous demands on it that your ship will be the largest one in the waters south of Ireland for some time to come, although more might be found if we have news from Mr Grahame’s man in Brest. Sir Edward Pellew in the frigate Indefatigable has a small squadron patrolling the approaches to the Channel between the Lizard and Ushant, but the area is so vast that it is difficult to cover it adequately.”

  “So in addition to co-operating with Mr Grahame you’ll be expected to patrol those waters. If the French are going to attempt an invasion of Ireland we think that the far south west is where they will do it and there must surely be some traffic of small boats carrying spies between the French and the Irish insurgents. Your intelligence about Moreau confirms it. Is the situation now clear to you Captain?”

  “Yes Sir Edward, it is. May I ask, is it certain that the Spanish will join the French?”

  “Almost certain. They haven’t done so yet but from the intelligence received from our people in Spain it could happen at any moment. With France now so powerful the Spanish are frightened of an invasion by this brilliant new general of theirs, Napoleon Bonaparte. Under this fellow’s command the French army has enjoyed amazing success in Europe and Italy. It is worth remembering that some people say that the General Hoche in command of the proposed French invasion of Ireland is as good a general as Napoleon.”

  “So, Captain, you will return to Portsmouth and ensure that your ship is made ready for sea as soon as possible. Mr Grahame will follow you down there and let you know what he wants you to do. Admiral FitzHerbert in Portsmouth has instructions to give your ship priority. After that you will put yourself at the disposal of Mr Grahame as before.”

  “Aye-aye Sir.”

  “One other thing Captain, we must rename the ship. Thessaly will always remind men of the mutiny. Any ideas?”

  Merriman gulped. It was not often that a captain was given the privilege of naming his own ship, then he had a flash of inspiration. “Would it be agreeable to you my Lord, if she was named Lord Stevenage?”

  “Capital,” cried the Admiral, “we haven’t got a ship with that name.”

  Lord Stevenage beamed, “Thank you Captain Merriman, I take that as an honour. Mr Grahame has told me that you have hopes of marriage, perhaps the Admiralty can allow you the time to return home before your ship’s refit is complete?” He turned to the Admiral with his eyebrows raised in query.

  “Indeed my Lord, would that it could be so, but I fear that there will be insufficient time. It will be only a few days before the ship is completed and we need it on station as soon as maybe.” The Admiral had little choice really, though a word from a man in Lord Stevenage’s position could make or break even an Admiral.

  “A pity, Captain, it seems that you must postpone the wedding. However, if in due course you can inform me when your wedding will be, I would be pleased to receive an invitation.”

  An hour later, after more instructions and information had been given to him, a dazed Merriman found himself standing on the steps of the Admiralty, clutching his commission and new orders, hardly daring to believe his good fortune. He was a post captain at last, the first rung on the ladder to higher things. If he lived he would eventually become an Admiral as more senior captains died off or were killed in action. And Lord Stevenage even wanted to attend his wedding. He grinned, “That’ll put Mother in a tizzy.”

  He became aware of the half dozen beggars surrounding him, mostly old seamen by the look of them, all with some form of mutilation, an arm or leg missing or badly scarred features. One poor devil with no legs at all was pulled along in a small trolley by a one armed man. God alone knew how the man had survived the amputation of both legs. All were unemployable by a navy that desperately needed whole men to man the fleet stretched round the world.

  One man, standing in a peculiar hunched up kind of way, looked vaguely familiar. “You there, don’t I know you, Timmins is it?”

  The man drew himself up as far as he could, dragged off his tattered hat and knuckled his forehead. “Aye Lieutenant Sir, Tomkins Sir, I was captain of the maintop in the old Argonaut, Captain Edwards, when you were a midshipman Sir. I stopped you falling off the main yard one time Sir.”

  “I remember that. But what happened to you Tomkins? I see you still have all your arms and legs.”

  “Two years gone Sir, I was on Black Dick Howe’s flagship the Queen Charlotte at the battle off Ushant, you know Sir, the one they are calling the Glorious First of June. Well I was a gun captain on the middle deck an’ a French shot upended my gun Sir, an’ I finished up underneath the carriage. Broke my ribs an’ Lawd knows what else Sir. Got paid off ‘cos of me injuries Sir, can’t do anything heavy, the left side o’ me chest is caved in.”

  “Can’t you get a job Tomkins?”

  “No Sir, Lawd knows I’ve tried, but there are too many like us Sir.” Despairingly he indicated the human wreckage around him. “All we can do now is beg for a few coins to keep us alive.”

  Merriman privately cursed the system that could so easily discard the brave men who had given so much for their country. He looked round at them, despite himself feeling a lump in his throat. “I can’t do anything for you men except give you these coins I have.” He made up his mind. “Tomkins, if you want to go to sea again I’ll find you something aboard my ship.”

  The man’s face lit up, “Will you Sir, thank you Sir, thank you, I’ll do anything I can to feel a ship under me again. I won’t let you down Sir.”

  As Merriman walked away followed by the seaman, he was well aware that the rest of the human jetsam were looking with envy at the fortunate Tomkins. He sighed, knowing he could do no more for the rest of them.

  Lord Stevenage emerged from the shadow of the doorway where he had been an interested observer. Shaking his head he said “James Merriman, you are too soft hearted for this hard world but I admire you for it. You are a good man and a credit to your Father. It’s time some humanity and compassion was shown to these poor devils.” He was surprised to realise that he had been speaking aloud.

  Ch apter 3: Departure for Ireland

  Merriman was in a fever of impatience to get back to his ship and arrange the transfer of his crew to his new command, but on arrival in Portsmouth there were still things to do b
efore going aboard. He would have to report to Admiral Sir George FitzHerbert and confirm with him the orders transferring Thessaly, now Lord Stevenage, to Merriman’s command and then he must find a tailor to make his new uniforms.

  On leaving the Admiral’s offices, he looked at Tomkins who was waiting for him, still dressed in the ragged clothing he was wearing when Merriman found him in London.

  “Hmm, I’m not having you aboard looking like that Tomkins, you need cleaning up and something better to wear.” They quickly found a shop where Tomkins was fitted out with trousers and shirts, a brass buttoned jacket, shoes and a tarred hat. Then a barber’s shop was found where Merriman left Tomkins to have his hair and beard cut and he could scrub himself clean in a tin bath.

  “Wait for me outside the Admiral’s place when you’re cleaned up,” Merriman ordered him. “I have my own uniform to see to.”

  There he was fortunate as he found a tailor recommended to him by a captain on the Admiral’s staff. As soon as the tailor knew what Merriman required and the urgency of it he was eager to please. “If you are agreeable Captain, I have a captain’s uniform here I was making for an unfortunate gentleman who was recently killed in action. It is almost completed and I’m sure it would fit you, would you care to try it on?”

  With only minor alterations needed, the coat proved to be an excellent fit so Merriman ordered it and a new three cornered hat to be sent out to his ship as soon as ready. Fortunately he had been successful in taking prizes over the past few years and he was able to collect money from the Prize Agent in Portsmouth. He also ordered a second hat and coat and new white silk stockings and buckled shoes. White breeches, shirts and black cravats were also needed to replace those made shabby by prolonged use.

  From London, Merriman had sent a letter home to his family, with another to Helen, telling them that he was back in England and hoped to be able to come home soon and hoping that Helen and her father could set a tentative wedding date. He told them of his promotion to Post rank and that he had been given command of a frigate. Also he mentioned that Lord Stevenage hoped to be at the wedding and should be invited.

  On the journey back to Portsmouth, he had begun to regret his generous impulse towards the man Tomkins. What on earth could he find for a cripple to do on a man-o-war? The problem was solved when in conversation Tomkins revealed that he had a knowledge of numbers and could write.

  “A bit shaky Sir, but with a bit of practice I’m sure it’ll come back, old Miss Dawkins beat it into us lads with ‘er cane.”

  “Very well then, when we get aboard I’ll see what you can do. Maybe you can be my clerk and help with all the paper stuff I have to deal with.”

  At the dockside a brawny waterman was found to row them out to Aphrodite, and Merriman climbed aboard to the salutes and ceremony used by the navy to welcome a captain on board. Acknowledging the compliments, Merriman looked keenly about him. All seemed to be in order, but then the skies would fall before Laing allowed any slackness. But he wasn’t looking for anything wrong with his ship, he was looking for any sign of sullenness on the faces of the crew or any indication that they had heard of or sympathised with the mutiny aboard Thessaly.

  “Mr Laing, Gentlemen, I want all officers in my cabin in ten minutes.” He turned and descended the companionway to his cabin, beckoning the waiting Tomkins to follow. Peters, Merriman’s steward was waiting below.

  “Peters, this is Tomkins, for the moment he is to assist you.”

  Apart from a small frown, Peters appeared to be quite unmoved at the thought of another man in the Captain’s quarters which had until then been his own domain, but Merriman knew him too well to be deceived.

  “Don’t sulk man, I know you think you are indispensable but you will make him welcome. He’ll be spending most of his time on duties as my clerk so he can help and not interfere with your own duties. Is that clear?”

  “Aye –aye Sir” mumbled Peters.

  “And mark this well, both of you, your duties as captain’s clerk and captain’s steward mean that you will learn much that is confidential. I know from the past that I can rely on your discretion Peters, but you, Tomkins, must learn to keep matters to yourself.”

  “Yes Sir, I knows when to keep me mouth shut.”

  “Good, now be off with you, the officers will be here directly.”

  The two men left as the ship’s officers filed into the cabin and arranged themselves as best they could in the cramped space. Merriman looked around at his expectant audience.

  “I am leaving this ship Gentlemen.” He was pleased to hear exclamations of dismay from his colleagues of nearly four years standing.

  “I’m sure I speak for all Sir, if I say we have been honoured to serve with you for so long.” said the First Lieutenant.

  “Enough, Colin,” said Merriman with a smile, “I’m teasing you. I am leaving this ship but so are all of you as well. Their Lordships of the Admiralty have seen fit to promote me and I’m to take command of the frigate Thessaly which you have seen re-fitting after the abortive mutiny aboard. You, with the entire ship’s company are to transfer with me.”

  “Thank you Gentlemen, thank you,” he said as the chorus of congratulations died away, “There is one more promotion. Mr St James, it seems that you are now a captain and a marine Lieutenant is to join us.”

  There was another chorus of congratulations for the marine officer and when that died away, Merriman said “Enough Gentlemen, there is much to do and the first thing must be to board the frigate and assess the situation. The loyal members of her original crew and the midshipmen are still aboard and we can have our pick to make up our numbers, including marines. The rest will be sent to other ships.”

  Lieutenant Laing rubbed his hands together gleefully, “Does that mean I can get rid of those two rogues Piggott and Smith Sir?”

  “Indeed it does Mr Laing.” Merriman was well aware that there were a few men among his crew, as among crews everywhere, who were the source of any discontent. The two men mentioned were a constant source of irritation to the officers. There was always a feeling that the two men had managed to do something they shouldn’t that authority had not yet discovered. Capable seamen both, but always that little bit slow to carry out an order and with an attitude just short of insolence, they were constantly being punished for minor infractions, said punishments not changing them one bit.

  This was an opportunity all First Lieutenants longed for, to remove such men, although the chances were that they would find one or two more among the new men.

  Once aboard Thessaly, Merriman conferred with the chief shipwright in charge of the refitting, Mr Lathom. It appeared that the mutineers had managed to kill the marine sentry and get into one of the storerooms. There they broached a keg of rum. Rendered careless of consequences by the fiery spirit the mutineers had then murdered the hated First Lieutenant, two of the warrant officers and some of the marines and the two marine officers.

  Before the other ship’s officers, marines and loyal men had regained control, the mutineers had broken open all the storerooms and destroyed their contents. More kegs of rum had been broached and the men had rampaged through the lower decks, smashing everything they could before being overwhelmed. The damage was considerable and they had even set fire to the officers’ quarters, a stupid thing to do on a wooden ship.

  “Thank God they didn’t get into the magazine Sir, If they had I think they would have blown the ship to Kingdom Come before surrendering.”

  “A terrible business Mr Lathom, indeed it was. And now to the future, how long will it be before my ship is ready for action again?”

  “Another week or two Sir before she is seaworthy again and fit for action. I still have to change the fore topmast, it’s badly sprung and some fools even set about the mainmast with axes, so that will have to be replaced. That means going alongside the sheer hulk. Even though you are supposed to have priority Sir, there are two first rates in the dockyard also with priority and we’re to
o shorthanded to do the work faster”

  “Well I think we can speed things along for you Mr Lathom. I have my entire crew available to help if you are agreeable. The Carpenter and Bos’n and their mates are all excellent men and I will tell them to follow your directions.”

  Merriman and his officers then carried out a full inspection of the ship except for the main gun deck forr’ard where the seamen were confined under a marine guard commanded by a sergeant.

  Re-assembling on the quarter deck the officers, each clutching his notes, gathered round their Captain.

  “Well now Gentlemen, I think we all have a good idea of what remains to be done. First we must have the ship’s stores of food and water replenished so that our own men can be transferred here. With them aboard to assist the shipyard men the work should be done faster, but it will still take at least two weeks to finish. Now we must see the men below and sort them out.”

  He looked round for the sergeant in command of the marine guard. “Sergeant, your name?”

  The man drew himself to attention, “Sergeant Gordon Sir.”

  “Right Sergeant, I want all the men below assembled on deck immediately. I wish to address them.”

  The men shuffled aft between the lines of marines, grouping themselves below the quarter deck, blinking in the bright sunlight and looking up at the officers lined along the rail. Merriman was not an orator, had no gift of words to stir men’s souls, but he knew that the men below him must be desperately worried about their fate and what he said to them now would have a bearing on the whole ship’s future.